ENGLISH & FOREIGN.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 17, Issue 918, 16 January 1871, Page 2

ENGLISH & FOREIGN.

The s.s. Wonga Wonga, from Honolulu* arrived in Auckland on Friday, January 13, at 8j p.m. %'he overland mail was 12 hours in going from Thames to Tauranga, wiiere it' arrived at 8 p.m. on Saturday. The "VVonga Wonga brings

the following passengers :—rMr and Mrs Ball, Messrs. W. A. Hunt, Brag, Sterry, J. Kndwles, Stuckley, Kaye (mail agent), Rev. Mr Shiel, liev. D. Goolde, Hon. Mr and Mrs ftolfe, and 20 in the steerage. Cargo—sugar, salmon, &c. The dates of the Wonga Wonga are San Francisco, December 15; and Honolulu, December 26. On the passage they saw Sunday Island in a state of eruption. BRIEF SUMMARY. Russia is firm, and is massing troops on the Turkish frontier. A warlike feeling pervades Russia. England is preparing, and means to provide against a surprise. Paris has refused a summons to sur- ! render. The supply of meat is exhausted, but it is said that there is food sufficient to last till February. A Prussian council of war has decided that the bombardment shall commence on December the 15th. It is believed that the bombardment will not take place; only thirty guns have been mounted at Versailles. There were two battles, one on the 30th November, and another on the 2nd December. Both sides claim the victory, The French state that they captured 1,500 Prussians. The latter claim to have captured 11,000 French. Prussia declares her intention of occupying Luxemburg as a military necessity. GENERAL SUMMARY. London, Dec. 12. All British war vessels on foreign stations, except such as are actually needed, have been recalled. There is great activity at Portsmouth. There is no panic on the Stock Ex- | change. I Gambetta denounces the action of Russia. John Stuart Mill protests against war with Russia. The warlike feeling is strong throughout England. The Temps says that there is flour in Paris sufficient to last till January, but' that beef and mutton are exhausted. The Times suggests the immediate assembly of Parliament in view of the Russian complications. The French army which occupied an entrenched position near the Loire, has been completely routed. The French Atlantic cable only is working. The French evacuated Orleans on the 4th December. The King of Prussia telegraphs to the Queen the capture of 1,000 French at St. Jean. A railroad collision occured at Brockley ; five people were killed, and many were injured. The general impression is that the prospects for the restoration of the Emperor are improving. The Emperor has stated that he has received an autograph letter from the Emperor Alexander. There has been a ministerial crisis at Vienna. The war feeling at St. Petersburg is strong. The reserves have been called out. 40,000,000 roubles are to be devoted to war purposes. Gladstone's note with reference to provision for the protection of the Pope has excited surprise. The French seat of Government has been removed to Bordeaux. At the battle of Menar, the Germans captured 11,000 prisoners; in the second engagement they were also victorious. An explosion occured at Birmingham, through which twenty-nine people were killed, King William has accepted the title of Emperor of Germany. It is stated that the Prussian Council of War have determined to bombard Paris. Brassey, the contractor, has accepted a title in the Irish National Brotherhood. The Duke of Mecklenburg reports a severe battle at Beaugency, with the capture of 15,000 French. It is reported that there is food sufficient in Paris to last till February. At Versailles it is reported that the German occupation of France will continue for two years. General D'Harcourt asserts that the French were victorious in the two battles of the thirtieth and the second, and that fhey have captured 15,000 Prussians,

The Paris Government have refused another summons to surrender. The French in arms outside Paris are estimated at 540,000. The Prussians are preparing to occupy Luxemburg; Bismarck declares that the occupation is justifiable, as it is a military necessity, the Duchy having favored the French. Garibaldi has resigned his command and returns to Italy, owing to the unfriendliness of the French population. Havre has been threatened with siege^ The second proposal for an armistice was unsuccessful. Bismarck refuses to treat with the Tours Government. It is doubted whether the threatened bombardment of Paris" will take place. There are as yet no guns in position. The feeling of Russia is intensely war like. Preparations for war on a large scale are being made. Patriotic addresses have been issued to the people. The Austrian press denounces the action of Russia, and says that the insolence of Russia and Prussia should be repressed. VERY LATEST, London, Dec. 15. It is reported that Trochu has cut his way through the Prussian lines. A correspondent says that he heard Bismarck state that strong efforts were being made for the restoration of Napp? leon, but that he refused. ? Gortschakoff remains firm in his desire to abrogate the treaty of Paris. The Russian forces are concentrating on the Turkish frontier. The third and tenth corps of German* continue to march south-east. Russia is committed to a bold line of conduct, and is resolved to carry it out. Letters from Versailles state that eight siege guns have been mounted. The bombardment will commence on December 15th. Plasburg has surrendered unconditionally. It is rumoured that the French hava recaptured Pere with 850 Prussians. The Garde Mobiles are armed with the new American revolvers. The mob at Rome attempted to sack the Vatican, but were quelled. King William and Moltke express re«? gret for the sufferings of the Germans, owing to the cold. The Czar has been congratulated on his action relative to the Treaty of Paris, AMERICA. The American ship Saginaro has been wrecked; there is only one survivor. The President urges the occupation of St. Domingo. The recognition of the French Republic has been officially announced. It is proposed that tho Alabama claims should be transferred to the respective governments for settlement. Also, that free navigation of the St. Lawrence should be granted. New complications with England are anticipated. COMMERCIAL. Liverpool, Dec. 15.—Wheat, lis 7'd per cental. Jlussia, Dec. H.—r The bank has raised the rate of discount. New York, Dec. 14— Wool is dull,, Ifides are in demand. Gold, 110|, at which rate it closed. Consols, 91 J. San Francisco, Dec. 15. —Wheat for milling, $2 15 cents; superfine, $2 22f cents. Flour, $6 12 cents to $6 37 cents. London.—The home attendance at the wool sales was good ; the foreign attendance was bad. New Zealand wool, 5d ta Is 9d. Tallow—beef, 42s ; sheep, 433 6d to 43s Kauri gum, 30s to 50s per cwt. Flax, .£3O to J 235 per ton. Colonial securities are very quiet, but remain steady. New South Wales 5 per cents., to 102 J. Queensland 6 per cents., 108 to 109. Victoria 6 per cents., April and October, 111 to 112; January and July, 114 to 116. SHIPPING. The ship Englaud sailed on November 21 from London for Wellington. The Harvest Home has arrived ait Liverpool. A vessel is shortly to leave New York for Otago. It is notified that William Gisborne, and Nathaniel Levin, Esquires, have resigned their seats in the Legislative Council, and that such resignations havei. been accepted,